Debt Ceiling

By Gobel Brockman


Unless you live under a rock - or your cable has gone out - you've heard the phrase 'debt ceiling' constantly the last few days. I don't want to go into the financial or political aspects of this (well, I do, but now's not the time). I only mention it because one of the questions that journalists love to ask in times like these is "Who do you blame more, Republicans or Democrats?" If one of them ever asks me, my answer may surprise them. I would say, "Neither - I blame the Amercian voter. They're the ones who keep sending the same people back to Washington, then expect different results." I've heard that's the definition of insanity. I won't argue.

But that got me to thinking about how often we do that in our own lives. A man gets drunk to the point of passing out, throwing up, or both. The next morning brings a hangover that would kill a horse. So what does he do the next weekend? Head for the bottle again. A girl ends a relationship with a guy because he only wanted 'one thing'. What does she do then? Hooks up with another guy that only wants 'one thing'.

How many times have I told God - sometimes through tears - "I'll never do that again!" only to come back and say "God, I did it again!" This all leads me to my point - for things to change, things have to CHANGE. The guy who gets drunk has to stay away from the bottle. The girl that keeps getting used has to stop 'settling' and wait for a man with integrity who will actually respect her. Name your problem - if you want it to change, that means something's going to be different. I mentioned a few weeks ago that God is interested in changing more in your life than just how you spend your Sunday mornings. He's interested in changing YOU. I love this quote from Max Lucado: "God loves you just the way you are. But He refuses to leave you that way..."

I don't know about you, but I'm not where I need to be in my relationship with God. There's still too much ME that keeps poking its head up and causing problems. Thankfully though, God's not done with me yet. He sees the changes that are needed, He has the power to do it, and He's helping me. Good thing He's not an American voter....

A Line In the Sand

By Gobel Brockman  


I read this week that Campus Crusade for Christ is changing its name to "Cru". In explaining why they removed 'Christ' from their name, they said in part, "Cru enables us to have discussions about Christ with people who might initially be turned off by a more overtly Christian name..." I have no right to comment on their motives, as I'm not overly familiar with their ministry. I also am in no way discouraging people from supporting their ministry - at all. My only reason for sharing this is it brings up something I have been saying for a while now: America - CHRISTIAN America - will soon get to the point that you can't say 'Jesus' in public, unless you're swearing.
JESUS - a powerful name indeed. Have you noticed that you can say 'God' all you want, and no one seems offended? Talk about 'church' all day. Mention 'religion' and no one notices. But say the name of 'Jesus' and everyone has a reaction. Movie stars whose lives are a moral minefield will thank 'God' for their awards, and no one cares. But a high school senior who wants to say 'Jesus' in a graduation prayer makes national headlines.
Sorry folks, I try to be a nice guy, but when it comes to JESUS, it's this simple: I don't want to purposely offend  people, but if I mention His name and it offends you, TOO BAD. Jesus has been too good to me for me to mumble his name under my breath. Jesus died for my sins. Jesus rose from the grave. Jeusus is coming again. Jesus is Who we will all stand before one day. He said, 'If you're ashamed of Me in this evil generation, I'll be ashamed of you before My Father in Heaven..."
Let me end this thusly - JESUS IS LORD. If you feel the same, tell someone this week. Out loud. In public.

If You Have Nothing To Say...Say It

By Gobel Brockman


When I started this blog, I had planned to make it a weekly devotional. But there have been some Sunday mornings that I have got up and, to be honest, just really haven't had much to say. So I figured since I didn't have anything to say, I'd let it go. Which reminded me of something I once heard a comedian say:

"The problem with some men is they have nothing to say, but keep talking. If you find yourself ranting about the way people are parking on your street, you have nothing to say, stop talking. If you find yourself re-telling a hilarious story you read in Reader's Digest, STOP TALKING. No one is listening to you. Notice the glazed look on the person in front of you? They're quietly making out a grocery list, planning their vacation, or vowing to never get as old and boring as you are."

Ouch. True, but ouch. Simply put, our words get us in a lot of trouble. We say things that we can never take back, and that leave a lasting negative impression. Our words cause pain, depression, anger, and can even end relationships. The Book of Proverbs says that '...a fool is found in a multitude of words.' Jesus made an even more sobering statement in Matthew 12: '...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.' I don't know about you, but that tells me I've already got a lot to account for. When it comes to our speech, let us remember Psalm 19:14: "let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing to You, O Lord...'

I guess what I'm saying this week is this - watch your mouth. Your words have weight. And you'll answer for them one day. I think I'll stop talking now....